Author

Sunday, May 21, 2017

The Blackstar Gambit, book 7 in the
thrilling Col Sec series will see Kurt Stryder and Zara Hardy face their most
challenging threat to date as they are faced with choices that place millions
of lives in the balance. From one side of the galaxy to the other they race to
find the truth behind an ancient cult that has spawned an evil so deadly it
threatens to destroy the entire Confederation starting with planet Earth. Kurt
and Zara learn that the good guys don’t always win and that bad things do
happen as they stand by helplessly to watch the Blackstar Gambit play out.

Excerpt

“What have you got for
me?” the stocky man asked as he entered the room.

It was a small room,
an office really, with a desk at one end behind which the other occupant sat.
On the desk was a monitor screen, which held an image frozen in time.

The other occupant, a
taller, thinner man pointed to the seat before him on the opposite side of the
desk.

“Sit, if you will, and
watch,” he offered.

The stocky man did as
instructed, the man he had come to see knew he was not a man to trifle with and
was aware he was more than a little afraid of him.

Goran Visjic, the
stocky man, turned the screen fully so he could see it better.

Thomas Patten sat back
and watched as the image on the screen began to play. He had seen the footage
several times but was still amazed by it.

The footage was of a
fight that had been captured in a nightclub. Not just any fight, this was
different, for it was between one man against three much larger men while
another stood by watching. The fight didn’t last long, the larger men attacked
and quickly overpowered the smaller one, as expected, but then the situation
changed and the smaller one took charge. In a display of savage, raw strength,
he took the three men out as fast as the eye could see. The most remarkable
aspect of the fight though, was something that had only been picked up briefly
by whoever took the footage. They clearly did not know what they had witnessed
but Patten most certainly did. He had the footage cleaned up and enhanced so
that when the final version was shown him his heart almost stopped with
excitement. This was what his visitor was now seeing.

The image clearly
showed the person who had been attacked in close up just as he reared up from
the floor after being pummelled there by the three larger men. The image zoomed
in on his face and the cuts and scratches from the earlier skirmish
miraculously healed as the footage unfolded. Before the man had flattened the
other three, his face was as good as new, it had completely regenerated new
skin over the damaged tissue.

“What’s this? Are you
trying to pull something over on me here?” Visjic snarled, his lip curling up.

“What you see is
actual footage of an incident that was witnessed by clientele of a nightclub.
Someone watching this fight thought I would be interested so I acquired it from
them,” Patten stated, a smile crossing his thin lips.

“This can be
verified?” Visjic asked.

“It can, I have
located the person in question and everything is in place for the next phase.”

“What are you
offering?”

“I propose to obtain a
viable sample of his DNA from which we will extract the means of duplicating
this amazing ability.”

Visjic looked at
Patten, his eyes narrowing as he contemplated his next move and what it would
cost. The super soldier syndrome was the Holy Grail for every military in the
galaxy. If Patten had it, he could name his price from anyone. He had to lock
this down to him and him alone.

“Is this offer open to
me alone?” he asked.

“If you meet my price,
if not it might well become an auction.”

“You do not want to
make an enemy of me, that would be most unwise,” Visjic threatened.

“You are in no
position to make threats Visjic,” Patten said sounding much braver than he
felt.

“And you have not even
verified this serum yet either. When you have a sample let me know your price
and we will negotiate further,” Visjic goaded, sensing the man was not as
confident as he sounded.

“I’m sorry, did I say
this was open to negotiation, no I did not. You will meet my price or I will go
elsewhere. Do you really want your competitors to have this, think of the lives
lost if they do?”

Visjic was furious but
he knew what Patten said was true. He was entirely at this man’s mercy for the
moment, which was something he could not allow to continue. For now though he
would have to admit defeat. The battle was not lost, just postponed.

He rose from his seat,
took a calming breath and said, “You have three days. If you fail then I’ll go
after this myself.”

With a scowl, he
turned and left the room.

Patten sat back and
relaxed.

Visjic was someone he
should not antagonise, for he had a way of exacting revenge for the smallest of
slights and he had just been dealt a huge one. Still, if he pulled this off,
Visjic would be more than pleased and he would be off his back for good. He was
not too happy about the time constraints he had given him but he was sure he
could deliver.

He reached forward and
turned the monitor towards him. He watched the footage one last time stopping
it at a close-up of the man in question.

He looked at the blond
hair, the chiselled cheekbones and the cobalt blue eyes that shone with an
intense vibrancy he envied.

“Okay, Kurt Stryder,
let’s see what you’re made of,” he said at the screen.

I
was born in Staffordshire to a working-class family, my father worked down the
local mines whilst my mother worked in one of the local Pottery manufacturing
factories.

At
school, I discovered the joys of reading. I was a big fan of sci fi books but I
would read almost anything I could get my hands on. My mother took me to join
the local library as soon as I could read and from that day on, if it had words
on it, I’d read it.

In
the early 70’s there wasn’t much choice where I worked so I ended up in an
apprenticeship in screen printing for the ceramic industry.

I’m still in the same trade after a forty -year career but my
passion is and has always been writing. After several abortive attempts, I
started the Col Sec series around seven years ago, it’s an action adventure
series set in the twenty fifth century.

Friday, March 31, 2017

Author Sandie Will has released her debut novel, The Caging at Deadwater Manor. Set along the Florida Gulf Coast, this young adult psychological thriller is a heart-wrenching, edge-of-your-seat story about eighteen-year-old Jeannie Kynde who is locked away in Deadwater Manor, a psychiatric hospital with an unscrupulous past. In her words, she shares what it’s like to endure psychiatric treatments, mentally unstable patients, a sadistic nurse and a tempting attendant. Can she find the strength to survive the nightmare that is now her world?

On a cold, January evening, fourteen-year-old Jeannie Kynde is told that her beloved mother drowned in the murky waters along Florida's Gulf Coast. Her distraught father turns on Jeannie, no longer the caring father she once knew.

Four years later, Jeannie is finally old enough to escape her father's clutches, but he has different plans. He imprisons her at Deadwater Manor, a psychiatric hospital with an unscrupulous past.

Will she be locked away forever? Or can she fight against the nightmare that has now become her world?

As the cover states, Deadwater Manor was inspired by true events, so I wanted to share what this means.

About eight years ago, I wanted to see if I could write dark. I had already written a historical time travel,which was more on the adventurous side (this will be released later this year). At first I thought I'd write a ghost story, and I remembered that my dad worked at psychiatric hospitals during short spurts of his life, both state and private. He rarely talked about his time there. My mom had said it was because he was upset over things he saw.

So, I finally asked him. There were no ghosts, but he mentioned how he felt bad for the young girls because sometimes they were admitted against their will by families who didn’t understand depression or other milder psychiatric conditions. He also shared patient routines and how the hospital rooms were set up. And as he continued, he remembered a discovery he made in the attic. It gives me chills just thinking about it, even now, and it became the central part of the story.

So, though the story and hospital are completely fictional, it is based on a girl admitted against her will, my dad’s discovery and some of the patient routines, outbursts, clothing and treatments he mentioned. The rest is based on research.

Sadly, my dad has since passed away from Alzheimers. He was a wonderful man, unlike the father in the story (which he always reminded me to make clear!). Before he became too confused, I let him know I dedicated the book to him. I knew he understood when he became weepy. I'll be thinking of him on March 31.

About the Author:

Sandie Will was born in Poughkeepsie, New York and moved to Florida during the 1970s. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Geology degree from the University of South Florida and Master of Science in Environmental Engineering Sciences degree from the University of Florida. She is currently working as a hydrogeologist and manager at a state agency that protects water supplies and natural systems. She primarily manages well construction and aquifer testing operations. During her career, she has written numerous technical reports and articles for various science-related publications. Now, she is adding fiction to her writing repertoire with her debut novel, The Caging at Deadwater Manor. Sandie currently lives in Florida with her husband, Charlie. They have two grown sons, a lovable lab-mix and a pesky cat. Her website and blog can be found at www.sandiewill.com.

Thank you for the support! I truly appreciate everyone who has helped me during this long journey.

“Mierta!” Mortain shouted at the top of the stairs, hearing nothing but his own voice echo. Watching smoke drifting out of the open doorway, Mortain took in a deep breath and tried to slow down his heart. The aroma of acrid chemicals and burning flesh filled his nose.

“Mierta!” he shouted again. “Son, you all right?” He listened, hearing nothing more than what sounded like gasping breaths.

“Father,” Mierta mouthed in response to Mortain’scalls, unable to produce any sounds as he dropped to one knee. His heart was pounding. Each pulse matched the ache he felt in his temples. A deep burning pain seared through his chest every time he took a breath. It was like he was slowly being strangled and there was nothing he could do to stop it. The inside of his nose felt charred and his throat felt like he was swallowing tacks. He blinked, his eyesight blurring, the pain beginning to overwhelm him. Nausea built in his throat and droplets of sweat slid down the side of his face. He wished he could do anything to end the torture. He could not imagine dying would be much worse.

Mierta attempted to stand and tried to get away from the workbench. He managed a few staggering steps before his body was drained of all energy. He watched puffy white circling clouds fill his vision before everything was replaced by darkness.

Mortain felt his stomach drop at the sound of something breaking. “Mierta!” he screamed, racing down the stairs. “Mierta, answer me!”

When he reached the bottom, Mortain abruptly stopped, taking in the horrific scene before him. His son was unconscious; lying sprawled out on his back. What remained of a small culture tube lay shattered next to him, and chemicals dripping from a workbench bubbled and fizzled as they made contact with the hardwood floor.

Acidumsalis, he thought, his eyes widening.

Mortain raised his arm to his mouth, careful to not inhale any of the smoke that was filling the room. He trembled as he came closer, observing the damage that had been done to the left side of his son’s face.

The skin was mostly raw red with patches of peeling burned black skin hanging off his face. Blood was seeping from some of the deep crevasses caused by the acid. Most of the damage was confined to the cheek and jaw area. His eye was spared any damage.

Mackenzie Flohr grew up in the heartland of America, chasing leprechauns and rainbows and dreaming of angels. Her parents nurtured a love of fantasy and make-believe by introducing her at a very young age to the artistic and cultural opportunities that the city of Cleveland had to offer.

From the time she could hold a pencil, Mackenzie was already creating pictorial interpretations of classic stories, and by the age of nine, she and a childhood friend were authors and reviewers of their own picture books.

While following her love of adventure, Mackenzie found a second home, the Beck Center for the Arts Children's and Teen Theater School. It was there that a world of wonder was only a script and a performance away.

Yet it wasn't until she was on a trip to Indiana, viewing a Lord of the Rings exhibit, that the innermost desire of her heart became clear to her. She wanted to write a fantasy of her own, one that could inspire imagination in others and lead them into a magical world of their own making. She hopes The Rite Of Wands will do just that.

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

First off, if you've read Up in the Treehouse, you should definitely read this one! If you haven't, still read it! It stands on it's own two feet just fine. I was blessed with an advanced copy, so I'll let you know my thoughts a bit early.

K.k. Allen's way of writing is different from any other. Even the apparent villains in her books have a reason for being the way they are (though not all are revealed to the reader) She has the ability to show the story from every angle, so that you can truly understand, and relate to each character.

I loved Monica in Treehouse, and I was thrilled to learn that she was getting some star treatment! She's a fun loving chicky, with so much to offer, and not a clue what she really wants from her life. This story follows her, past and present, as she stumbles, and is caught by Zack, a star quarterback.

Monica has some deep trust issues, so she scrambles away, every time she gains her footing, only to stumble again. She struggles to keep herself from getting hurt, and is less than successful, until she can learn to trust someone besides herself.

These characters are deeply human, and they act and react from the heart. You will laugh with them, you'll cry with them, and you'll find yourself with a strong craving for chocolate cake.

Saturday, February 25, 2017

Brandi Kennedy is a romance novelist who is finally living her childhood career dream. As a child, books were her world and through adulthood, that love of words has never changed. Brandi is now a contemporary romance novelist and poet with a deep love of writing and a curiously adventurous desire to someday write in several other genres.

A woman of varied interests, Brandi loves photography, music of all kinds, knitting, crochet, and of course, mothering her two young daughters. Currently, she finds her home in the heart of Knoxville, Tennessee, among the mountains and the members of her extended family, where she spends her days at the computer, bringing fresh and incredibly real characters to life.

Sunday, February 19, 2017

Brandi Kennedy is a romance novelist who is finally living her childhood career dream. As a child, books were her world and through adulthood, that love of words has never changed. Brandi is now a contemporary romance novelist and poet with a deep love of writing and a curiously adventurous desire to someday write in several other genres.

A woman of varied interests, Brandi loves photography, music of all kinds, knitting, crochet, and of course, mothering her two young daughters. Currently, she finds her home in the heart of Knoxville, Tennessee, among the mountains and the members of her extended family, where she spends her days at the computer, bringing fresh and incredibly real characters to life.